Las Vegas, NV – Two men have been accused of smuggling Chinese women into the United States and forcing them into sex work at an illegal brothel in Las Vegas. Changwei Gao and Leandro Seto allegedly operated the brothel at a home near Spring Mountain Road and Decatur Boulevard.

The investigation began in April when police received a tip about an online prostitution advertisement. After conducting surveillance and undercover operations, police raided the home on September 11th, rescuing two victims of sex trafficking.

Inside the brothel, police found evidence of prostitution activity, including condoms, lubrication, ledgers, and significant amounts of cash. Additionally, they discovered nearly $180,000 in one of the suspect’s homes and $32,000 in a truck’s center console.

The victims described being smuggled into the United States through Mexico and forced into prostitution against their will. They faced threats of deportation, had limited resources, and were unable to escape the situation. Many of the victims reported being sexually assaulted by customers.

Enlong Cao, the owner of the home, has also been charged for his involvement in the operation.

The three suspects face various charges, including sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and conducting or attempting to conduct financial transactions to evade reporting.

While licensed brothels are legal in some Nevada counties, they are prohibited in Clark County, where Las Vegas is located. The arrests highlight the ongoing issue of human trafficking and the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat this crime.

Source: 8 News Now